The Chronicle Building was in flames March 22, 1916. The paper was printed elsewhere. In 1914, the architect of the building, G. Lloyd Preacher, said, "All interior floors and partitions are fireproof and the elevator doors, windows on downtown side, etc., are also absolutely fireproof."

The previous owners, Bettis Rainsford and Bryan Haltermann, acquired the building 19 years ago and were interested in selling.

"They wanted to get out, and I wasn't really looking to get in, but it was available, and I think it was a pretty good deal," Boardman said.

The purchase price, according to Richmond County property records, was $200,000.

Current stabilization efforts include replacing the roof, restoring windows and gutting portions of the interior, he said. "We want to create a nice, dry shell."

Contractors received permission from the Augusta Historic Preservation Commission in March for limited demolition that included removal of a former restaurant behind the building, said Erick Montgomery, the executive director of Historic Augusta Inc.

Boardman said there are no definite plans for the building.

"We don't want to create any expectations that something will happen anytime soon," he said. "We're probably looking about five years out, and we will have to see what is in demand at that point.

"Right now, we don't know."

Possibilities include retail fronting on Broad Street, with offices on the lower floors and apartments or condominiums in the upper stories, he said, noting that the previous owners had drawn up plans long ago to convert the building to housing.

Challenges to redevelopment include a lack of parking and the need for major upgrades in the building's elevators and other primary systems.

The history of the Marion Building

THE BUILDING

The Marion Building was designed early in the career of G. Lloyd Preacher, who went on to become one of the South's most influential architects.

Upon its opening, the 10-story building was hailed as "Augusta's First Skyscraper." It was faced with limestone up to the first three stories, and then buff press brick to the eighth. The top two stories were faced with ornamental terra cotta.

Preacher described the building in a statement Dec. 13, 1914, highlighting in particular its modern conveniences.

"The heating system is the best that can be had with a vacuum vapor circulating system. There's enough radiation to overheat the building in zero weather, if desired. All floors are provided with vacuum cleaning outlets so that the offices may be perfectly cleaned without dust. Sufficient electric lighting is provided throughout, and every office has a lavatory and an abundance of hot and cold water," Preacher said.

Erick Montgomery, the executive director of Historic Augusta Inc., explains that the original plan for the block didn't quite pan out.

"When it was originally built, it was just half of what they eventually planned to build," he said. "The plan was to build a second half identical to the first part. If you look at the east side, it is very plain -- it wasn't intended to stay that way."

"The Chronicle Building, now ready for occupancy, stands facing the south on Broad Street in a class by itself, distinctive and Individual. The building stands ten stories high and possesses all modern conveniences and equipment. It is faced on front with limestone to third floor level, then buff press brick to the eighth story. The two top stories are faced with ornamental polychrome terra cotta in harmonious colors and the entire exterior of the building is trimmed in terra cotta---such as window sills, lintels, etc. All interior floors and partitions are fireproof and the elevator doors, windows on down-town side, etc., are also absolutely fireproof. The first floor lobby Is decorated with a high marble wainscoting and plaster cornices. The offices and corridors on the upper floors have smooth inish plaster walls. The corridors all .have tile floors and wainscotings of Georgia marble. Ample toilets are provided and they are finished in tile. The trim throughout is genuine oak with veneer doors. The heating system is the best that can be had with a vacuum vapor circulating system. There enough radiation to overheat-the building in zero weather if desired. All floors are provided with vacuum cleaning outlets so that the offices may be perfectly cleaned without dust. Sufficient electric lighting is provided throughout, and every office has a lavatory and an abundance of hot and cold water. There are also two fast elevators, perfectly equipped with Indicators, insuring fast service."

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Wow 200 grand! Wonder how much it will cost to mothball it? Restore it? Good news and hopefully this becomes a mixed use retail and residential building to go along with the new mixed use baseball stadium and Tee Center Downtown! Build it Downtown!

Talk about a bargain! So what's the plan? Sounds to me the building will just sit vacant indefinately.. but good to here it will atleast be preserved. But why can't we start getting it occupied a lot sooner. A mothballed building does nothing to boost downtown.